Peak Puerto Rico: Surfing, Kayaking & Nature Hikes with Sara O’Malley
Your TourHero
Oh hi ! My name is Sara and I am a 24yo graduate student & culture-adventure-food-language enthusiast. I am so so excited about this trip to PR !! The hope is we’ll get the best of both nature ( see El Yunque ! ) and culture ( surfing & salsa dancing anyone ?! ). Develop a little ~love~ for the island before we have to depart. Get ready to explore and enjoy ! Hope you can join me !
Duration
6 days · 5 nights
Travel Date
Jun 1 – 6, 2022
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
8 – 16
Transportation
Van
Tour Price
Your Fellow Explorers
Fellow Travelers
Dakota
Kayla
Gina
Ben
Amod
SaraYour Local Guide
Unique Quality Tours Puerto Rico offers private tours only, so all their attention is concentrated on you. This way, you can relax and feel pampered visiting the island. They specialize in offering airport to airport service, single tours, and fully-customizable vacation packages. UQT only relies on licensed tour guides certified by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and licensed tour operators certified by the Puerto Rico Public Service Commission. To them, you are not just another client; you are THE client! If you want a unique tour with Puerto Rican culture and excursions to less visited areas, UQT is the right choice for you!
Immerse yourself in the magic of Puerto Rico’s lively atmosphere and let the Caribbean island capture your heart! Soak in the warm sunshine and sample the best activities that this tropical paradise has to offer: wander the iconic beachfront of Isla Verde, hike through the lush El Yunque Rainforest, discover the history of Old San Juan, go kayaking in a magical bioluminescent bay, catch some waves during an epic surfing lesson, and more. This is one adventure that lets you have a taste of Puerto Rico at its peak!
Cancellation policy
Refunds for deposits
If you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure.
Refunds for fully-paid trips
If you cancel your trip after making the full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a refund.
Your TourHero
Oh hi ! My name is Sara and I am a 24yo graduate student & culture-adventure-food-language enthusiast. I am so so excited about this trip to PR !! The hope is we’ll get the best of both nature ( see El Yunque ! ) and culture ( surfing & salsa dancing anyone ?! ). Develop a little ~love~ for the island before we have to depart. Get ready to explore and enjoy ! Hope you can join me !
Duration
6 days · 5 nights
Travel Date
Jun 1 – 6, 2022
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
8 – 16
Transportation
Van
Immerse yourself in the magic of Puerto Rico’s lively atmosphere and let the Caribbean island capture your heart! Soak in the warm sunshine and sample the best activities that this tropical paradise has to offer: wander the iconic beachfront of Isla Verde, hike through the lush El Yunque Rainforest, discover the history of Old San Juan, go kayaking in a magical bioluminescent bay, catch some waves during an epic surfing lesson, and more. This is one adventure that lets you have a taste of Puerto Rico at its peak!
Timeline
- Day 1 · Isla Verde
- Arrive at the airport
- Transfer from airport to accommodation
- Check-in at beachside loft
- Free time
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 2 · El Yunque Rainforest
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- El Yunque Rainforest tour
- Lunch and dinner (not included in price)
- Day 3 · Old San Juan
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Day trip to Old San Juan
- Lunch (not included in price)
- BioBay kayak tour
- Transfer back to accommodation
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 4 · Carolina
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Surfing class
- Free time
- Lunch and dinner (not included in price)
- Day 5 · Guavate
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- “Pork Road” tour with nature walk
- Lunch and dinner (not included in price)
- Day 6 · Departure
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Check out of accommodation
- Transfer to airport
- Journey ends
Details
Day 1
Welcome to Isla Verde, Puerto Rico – an idyllic beach paradise
Your Puerto Rican getaway starts now in Isla Verde, a beachside neighborhood home to chic resorts, high-rise hotels, fantastic watersport opportunities, elevated gastronomy, and buzzing nightclubs. Upon your arrival, you’ll be whisked away to your home away from home — the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort — located literally steps away from the golden sands of iconic Isla Verde Beach. Drop your bags in the room, put your swimsuit on, and start enjoying the island’s tropical sun!
Day 2
Embark on a delightful outdoor tour through the breathtaking El Yunque National Forest
Rise and shine, travelers! Today is a day brimming with nature and adventure! Embark on a fantastic tour in the incredible El Yunque National Forest. Fun fact: This lush, mountainous rainforest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Here, the peaks of the Luquillo Mountain Range soar up to 3,525 feet above sea level. Accompanied by a professional guide, all of us will hike through this wonderful place to discover waterfalls, curious wildlife, pristine forest views, and natural dipping pools in the heart of nature.
Day 3
Discover the old city of San Juan, the crown jewel of Puerto Rico
Good morning, travelers! Today, you’ll embark on an excursion into the historical center of Old San Juan. In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your accommodation and dropped off right in the heart of the old sector, where you’ll be given the chance to self-explore the area. OSJ is a colorful kaleidoscope of life, music, legend, and history. From its blue-toned, cobblestoned streets and the 400+ historically-listed buildings, to the stunning ocean views, the visual treats never end! You’ll be able to walk to the restaurants and enjoy some authentic food at places like La Garita, Rincon Iberico, and La Madre to name a few. Visit the supermarket, try exquisite locally-grown coffee, and much more! Some top sights we recommend checking out include the two forts: El Morro and Fuerte San Cristobal, the Las Américas Museum, the Paseo la Princesa (which hosts local artists on the first Sunday of every month), and the different squares of Plaza Colon, Plaza de Armas, Plaza del Quinto Centenario, and Parque de las Palomas.
Marvel at nature’s magic on a guided bioluminescent kayaking tour at night
When the evening is nigh, we’ll head to the Fajardo BioBay to paddle through one of the world’s brightest bioluminescent bays in kayaks! This adventurous group tour takes us through a mangrove forest with protected fauna. The waters here are filled with microscopic, single-celled organisms (dinoflagellates) that produce a “glow-in-the-dark” effect when stimulated by movement. When you paddle or splash the water, these organisms light up brilliantly in spectacular shades of neon blue-green! Don’t worry if you’ve never gone kayaking before — you’ll be provided with all the necessary equipment and instruction from your guide, so even beginners can join in!
Day 4
Surf’s up! Have a splash-tastic time at the beach with a surfing lesson!
Good morning! Today, we’ll head to the shores in Carolina for a surfing lesson in the inviting waters of the Caribbean. If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of riding waves, this is your chance! With a professional surfer at the helm, you’ll be learning from the best. No worries if you’ve never tried surfing before! La Pared Beach is a fantastic spot for beginners, with easy waves and a sandy bottom. Pick up tips and tricks from your instructor and before long, you’ll be riding the waves with confidence and having tons of fun!
Day 5
Journey inland to try authentic lechón in Guavate and immerse yourself in nature
There’s no way you’re leaving Puerto Rico without trying some delicious lechón — whole roasted pig cooked over hot coals or an open flame. The famous “Pork Road” (or “Pork Highway”) hidden in the town of Guavate up in the hills is where we’ll be heading today. Here, pork is king, and we’ll be stopping at authentic lechoneras, which are cafeteria-style restaurants that specialize in serving this mouthwatering lechón. On this tour, we’ll also embark on a nature walk to explore the area. Guavate is nestled in Puerto Rico’s tranquil Carite Forest, within which hides a number of hiking trails. A nature walk is a great way to burn off those extra calories!
Day 6
Time to bid farewell to Puerto Rico
How time flies! We hope you’ve enjoyed your time in Puerto Rico. After checking out of your accommodation, you will be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight home. Until next time — we hope to see you again soon!
Accommodation
Beachside loft (or similar)
This beachside loft is ideal for large groups looking for a fun, open, and modern space. The property can comfortably sleep up to 16 guests and features a fully-equipped cinema screen, pool table, lots of board and card games, beach essentials, full kitchen, AC, and Wi-Fi. You can easily walk to the famous Calle Loiza where you can enjoy a bunch of trendy restaurants and bars, and you’re only a 7-minute walk to Ocean Park Beach! Room type: Shared occupancy.
Included
- 5 nights at a beachside loft (or similar)
- Airport transfers
- Roundtrip transportation for Old San Juan and BioBay tour
- Shared occupancy in accommodation (quad occupancy)
- All activities described in the itinerary
- 24/7 guest support
Not included
- Flights
- All meals not mentioned in inclusions
- Optional add-ons
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
Available add-on
New accommodation rate - per person
Along with the overall price of the trip, each traveler must pay $56.50 for the new accommodation.
Price: USD 56.50
14 spots left
Cancellation policy
Refunds for deposits
If you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure.
Refunds for fully-paid trips
If you cancel your trip after making the full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a refund.
- Embark on an immersive excursion into the historical center of Old San Juan, a colorful kaleidoscope of life, music, legend, and history. - Unsplash: Zixi Zhou
- From its blue-toned, cobblestoned streets to the 400+ historically-listed buildings to the stunning ocean views, the visual treats never end here! - Unsplash: Sonder Quest
- Some top sights we recommend checking out include the two forts El Morro and Fuerte San Cristobal, the Las Américas Museum, the Paseo la Princesa, and the different squares of Plaza Colon, Plaza de Armas, Plaza del Quinto Centenario, and Parque de las Palomas. - Unsplash: Stephanie Klepacki
- Discover the seriously lush and incredible El Yunque National Forest, the sole tropical rainforest that’s part of the U.S. National Forest System. - Unsplash: Jonathan Lampel
- Here, in this wonderful wilderness, the peaks of the Luquillo Mountain Range soar up to 3,525 feet above sea level! - USDA Forest Service
- We’ll embark on a wonderful hike through its most easily accessible trails, accompanied by our eco-minded tour guide. - USDA Forest Service
- Time to get lost in the heart of nature! - USDA Forest Service
- As we trek through the mountainous terrain, we'll discover waterfalls, spectacular coastal views, and natural dipping pools. This is nature at its finest! - USDA Forest Service
- After a morning of exploring Old San Juan, we'll reconnect with nature on a bioluminescent kayaking tour. - Viator
- Our guide will take us through the mangroves and teach us all about the flora and fauna of the area. - Viator
- When the sun sets, we'll experience the magic of nature by way of "glow-in-the-dark" dinoflagellates! - Viator
- Welcome to Isla Verde, Puerto Rico — known for its golden beaches and chill vibes! - Flickr: cogito ergo imago
- You'll stay so close to the beachfront, you'll be able to catch incredible sunsets every evening from the shoreline. - Asad Photo
- Surf’s up! Have a splash-tastic time at the beach with a surfing lesson! - Oliver Sjöström
- Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort is your dreamy home away from home for the next few nights. - Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort